- Dell EMC VxRail E660 is being phased out in favor of new Dell Private Cloud solutions.
- VMware’s market changes after Broadcom’s acquisition are reshaping hyper‑converged strategies.
- Enterprises are exploring alternatives such as Azure Stack HCI and Nutanix.
- VxRail remains a solid platform for VMware but faces lifecycle transitions and support sunsets.
- Architects should plan migration paths aligning with Dell’s modern cloud ecosystem.
What’s New or Important Now
As of early 2025, Dell Technologies has confirmed that the Dell EMC VxRail E660 node is nearing its end of availability. The change reflects Dell’s pivot toward full‑stack private cloud architectures that deliver integrated automation across on‑premises and hybrid workloads (Dell Blog). This strategic move follows accelerated updates in the virtualization market led by Broadcom’s acquisition of VMware (Reuters).
The result: enterprises currently running VMware‑based hyper‑converged systems—like the VxRail E660—must evaluate future paths. Dell has indicated strong support continuity but anticipates most customers transitioning to its Private Cloud offerings or container‑native infrastructure built with Red Hat OpenShift and Tanzu alternatives.
Understanding the VxRail E660 Platform
The VxRail E660 family is a 1U form‑factor node supporting Intel Xeon Scalable processors, NVMe acceleration, and tight integration with VMware vSAN, vCenter, and vSphere Lifecycle Manager. Ideal for medium enterprise and edge deployments, it was engineered for simplicity—offering lifecycle automation and turnkey scalability.
However, with Dell redirecting resources from VMware‑centric systems to cloud‑native architectures, buyers should recognize this as a signal of technology maturation and not obsolescence. E‑series nodes will continue support via standard Dell ProSupport and vSAN service contracts.
Buyer and Architect Guidance
Use Cases:
- Small‑to‑medium enterprises requiring VMware continuity.
- Remote office or edge compute with local storage resilience.
- VDI and virtual server consolidation with predictable scaling.
Sizing Considerations:
- Start at three nodes minimum for vSAN quorum.
- Balance CPU core count against storage ratio—Intel Xeon Silver vs Gold tiers.
- Consider NVMe for latency‑sensitive workloads; SATA SSDs suffice for archival tiers.
Trade‑offs:
- Excellent VMware integration but limited path beyond VMware environments.
- 1U nodes constrain expansion vs. 2U VxRail P670 family.
- Lifecycle nearing end of sale in 2025; migration planning required.
Comparison Table: HCI Alternatives 2025
| Platform | Primary Hypervisor | Form Factor | Integration Level | Lifecycle Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dell EMC VxRail E660 | VMware vSphere/vSAN | 1U Intel Xeon | High (native VMware tools) | Phasing out 2025 |
| Dell APEX Private Cloud | Dell Cloud Foundation (multi‑tenant) | Composable nodes | Full Dell automation stack | Active growth 2025+ |
| Azure Stack HCI | Microsoft Hyper‑V | 2–4 node clusters | Windows Admin Center tools | Stable adoption momentum |
| Nutanix Cloud Cluster | AHV (Nutanix hypervisor) | Flexible, multi‑cloud | Moderate (third‑party integrates) | Mature and expanding |
Mini Implementation Guide
Prerequisites
- VMware vCenter and vSAN licensing in place.
- Dell validated networking (10/25GbE switches recommended).
- IP address schema and DNS integration defined.
Steps
- Rack and cable VxRail E660 nodes following Dell rack guide.
- Access VxRail Manager to initialize cluster build with vCenter integration.
- Validate disk groups, witness configuration, and network throughput.
- Apply lifecycle management updates through VxRail Manager UI.
Pitfalls
- License mismatches between VMware bundles can halt automation.
- Firmware misalignment may require manual remediation post‑deployment.
- Underestimating power draw of NVMe drives can affect rack density estimates.
Cost and ROI Notes
The E660, while originally cost‑efficient for VMware mid‑range deployments, may now deliver diminishing ROI if extended beyond its intended lifecycle. Dell’s APEX Private Cloud pricing operates on a consumption model, offering predictable monthly OPEX over the high upfront CAPEX typical of legacy VxRail nodes. Enterprises should map return against 3‑year operational thresholds rather than the previous 5‑year depreciation windows (CRN).
FAQs
1. Is the VxRail E660 still supported?
Yes, full support continues through 2027 under Dell’s standard hardware warranty and VMware subscription.
2. Can it run non‑VMware hypervisors?
Technically possible but unsupported; Dell optimization is focused exclusively on VMware stacks.
3. What replaces the E660?
Dell APEX Private Cloud and the VxRail VE‑series providing broader container support.
4. Should new buyers consider E660?
Only if strict VMware compatibility is required; for longevity, evaluate APEX or Azure Stack HCI instead.
5. How does migration to APEX work?
Dell offers tools for workload portability and hybrid convergence—contact your Dell partner for planning assistance.
6. Is licensing affected by VMware changes?
Yes, consolidation of VMware SKUs under Broadcom alters renewal pricing; consult Dell or VMware sales for updates.
Conclusion
The Dell EMC VxRail E660 has been a benchmark for VMware‑optimized hyper‑converged infrastructure. As the IT industry evolves toward cloud‑native and consumption‑based models, enterprises should transition carefully—preserving value while modernizing architectures. For guided migration strategies and Dell certification resources, visit LearnDell.online.